Drive Safe: Montana’s Worst Spots for Deer Crashes

If you have ever driven a rural Montana highway during the fall, you know the drill. Headlights catch two glowing eyes, and your heart jumps into your throat. Deer and elk are on the move, and drivers see it every year.

According to a study by The Center for Large Landscape Conservation, using Montana Department of Transportation data, more than 36,000 animal carcasses were recorded along state highways from 2010 to 2015. Most were whitetail and mule deer. And while it can happen anywhere, some stretches of highway are riskier than others.

Montana’s Top 10 Deer-Collision Zones

Here’s a stat to think about next time you’re behind the wheel. The deadliest 10-mile stretch is on US 93 near Kalispell (mile markers 94–104), where 357 carcasses were documented in five years. That’s almost six deer per mile, every fall.

In second is US 191 south of Bozeman (mile markers 72–82), which recorded 242 collisions. Third goes to US 212 near Red Lodge and Route 269 near Lincoln, both with over 150.

In western Montana, two stretches of US 93 between Missoula and Hamilton also made the top 10 list, with 130 recorded carcasses. Other high-risk areas include I-90 east of Billings, US 287 near Townsend, MT-287 outside of Ennis, and MT-41 near Twin Bridges.

Slow Down and Stay Sharp

Most of these collisions happen between October and December, when deer and elk are migrating and breeding. If you’re driving these roads, especially at dawn or dusk, don’t let your eyes drift. Use your brights when you can, ease off the gas on turns, and remember that swerving often makes things worse.

These highways cut through some of the best wildlife country in the state, and the critters aren’t watching for you. So sit up, buckle up, and keep your hood ornament deer-free this fall.